Most Wanted list works Weld law officials devise successful arrest program

Thanks to the efforts of Weld County residents, the county jail may soon have to hang up the “No Vacancy” sign.

Since February 2003, the county has released a monthly Most Wanted list. The list generally contains 20-25 names and is developed during meetings with law officials throughout the county, including probation and parole officers. They rank the most wanted on a point system. Cmdr. Rick Bauer of the Weld County Sheriff’s Office then adds up the points, and the names and photographs are published in the Tribune on the first Tuesday of each month. The Most Wanted list also is kept on the county’s Web site.

From the beginning, sheriff’s office authorities have reported that the publication of the list has helped bring scofflaws to justice. After the list is published, law officials frequently receive several tips on the location of suspects. Some produce arrests, while others are false alarms.

But what happened last week was especially gratifying.

Within hours of the publication of this month’s list, Weld law enforcement authorities received six tips. Four people on the list were arrested, and another tip may lead to the arrest of a fifth person who apparently is in Arizona.

The four arrests brings the total to 84 since the monthly publication started.

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Our reaction: a big pat on the back to the residents of our county and to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office for beginning such a service.

Isn’t it nice to see what can happen when law enforcement officials, the media and private citizens work together?

In Larimer County, officials announced this week they were releasing inmates early because of jail crowding.

In Weld, the flow of suspects is going in the opposite direction. We have citizens who are helping law officials round up suspects and get them back in jail, where they belong.